Defensive Coordinator Jim Leavitt to Stay at Oregon Through 2021 Season

In a surprise move Sunday night, Oregon was able to retain coveted defensive coordinator Jim Leavitt, signing him to an extension through the 2021 season.

Posted: Dec. 17, 2017 9:13 PM

Updated: Dec. 17, 2017 10:02 PM

Posted By: Jacob Kornhauser

EUGENE -- It appeared defensive coordinator Jim Leavitt might be following head coach Willie Taggart to Florida State, but that is reportedly not the case as the Ducks assistant coach inked a new deal with the school Sunday night.

The new deal will keep Leavitt signed through the 2021 season and will pay him an average annual salary of $1.7 million. Leavitt helped turn the Ducks' defense around after a historically bad 2016 season.

New head coach Mario Cristobal had said repeatedly that Oregon would try its best to retain Leavitt, but offered no guarantee. With the retention of Leavitt, the Ducks have the core of their coaching staff set for the 2018 season with Cristobal in charge, Leavitt the defensive coordinator and Marcus Arroyo the offensive coordinator.

Leavitt helped a Ducks defense that allowed 41 points a game in 2016 to shave nearly 12 points a game off that mark. His defense cracked the overall top 50 in the country this season after finishing outside the top 120 just one season before his arrival.